The recently named 120-passenger expedition ship Silver Discoverer picked up its first passengers in Broome, Australia for a 10-day cruise to the Kimberley Coast, winding up in Darwin.

That makes three ships in the Expedition fleet, compared to five in the Silversea’s regular fleet. The gap is closing…how long until the expedition division catches up?

Both brands are, of course, in the luxury category. The Expedition ships are off discovering the world into waters less travelled by most ships.

Silversea Expeditions is celebrating the naming of the Silver Discoverer, but there’s another reason for having a party — to celebrate the lines 20th anniversary.

The Discoverer’s inaugural season is going to be a busy one.

The line’s visits include Southeast Asia, Micronesia, Melanesia, East Asia, the Russian Far East, New Zealand, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. And in 2015, Polynesia will join the schedule, plus new Pacific destinations such as the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati. That includes Nikumaroro, the island some believe to be the final resting place of famed aviator Amelia Earhart.

In my view, the best part is the experts who enlighten you and participate in the excursions and interactive walks ashore, led by experts in their field — marine biologists, ornithologists, geologists, botanists, historians, and anthropologists — are complimentary.

Did you know a blue whale calf could gain up to 200 pounds a day! I learned that on an expedition cruise.